How to Buy Jewelry for Women

From a man’s perspective, buying jewelry for a woman can be a daunting task. Between the number of styles, options, price ranges, and the sheer volume of jewelry available, how can you possibly know what would make the perfect gift for ladies?

We know the struggle. It’s no fun to be on the woman’s side of the bargain, either, wishing for jewelry as a gift from a man that’s too nervous about making a mistake to take the risk of buying it. That’s why we’ve set out the 5 most important guidelines for buying jewelry for a woman. Men: live by these rules and your lady is sure to love your thoughtful gift! Ladies: pass this guide on to every guy you know and help spread the gifting!

1. Set out your budget.

Jewelry comes in all shapes and sizes… and prices. Know the price you’re willing to spend before you begin shopping for jewelry. It will not only help you feel good about your purchase, but it will significantly narrow down your options and help you pinpoint the perfect piece. If diamonds are out of the budget, don’t look for diamonds. Cubic Zirconia (CZ) is the perfectly sparkly, yet budget-friendly alternative to diamonds. Sterling silver jewelry is a quality, low-budget alternative to white gold jewelry. If your lady likes yellow gold, opt for gold-plated sterling silver to make sure you’re picking a piece that lasts.

2. Play detective and investigate.

Significantly decrease your risk by playing Sherlock Holmes for a little bit and investigating the innards of her jewelry box. What kinds of pieces does she already own? Earrings? Necklaces? Bracelets? Designer inspired jewelry? What are the predominant colors? Here is a good chance to make the white vs. yellow metal distinction, which is often the biggest deal breaker. Is the jewelry small and dainty or chunky and showy? What she already owns is often indicative of her style preference. If you’re looking to buy a ring, borrow one or two from her jewelry box for a size reference (but don’t forget to return them!) Additionally, check her Pinterest boards for potential inspiration.

Pay special attention to the jewelry she wears every day. Just because she has a few yellow gold pieces in her jewelry box doesn’t mean she prefers yellow gold. If all of the jewelry she wears is white, it’s likely that her yellow gold comes from unworn gifts. Don’t be another yellow gold casualty. Listen to her when she makes casual remarks about styles, colors, and trends that she likes or dislikes. The “bigger is better” rule does not apply to jewelry! A monster rock won’t see the light of day on a woman who prefers dainty, simple pieces.

4. Choose your source.

You’ve got a plan. You’ve got a type, color, and style of jewelry in mind that you know your lady will love. Now you need to figure out from where to buy it. Jewelry is known to be subject to substantial discounts, unlike some other retail merchandise. Just as important as the price, though, is the customer service and the exchange policy. If you’ve followed guidelines 1 through 3, odds are your lady will love her gift! There’s always the exception, though, which is why it’s important to buy your jewelry from a retailer that offers a fair exchange policy. Priority number one is to make the woman happy with your gift. If that means exchanging a piece that may have slightly missed the mark for something that she’ll really love, an exchange is the right answer.

5. Surprise her with it!

Once you’re ready to present your gal with her sparkly new gift, you’ll be anxious and excited to see the look on her face when she opens it. But don’t rush! It is life’s surprises that make the special moments so memorable, so plan the perfect moment to surprise her with your beautiful, thoughtful gift.

Have any jewelry-gifting success stories you’d like to share? Leave a comment with your jewelry-buying dos and don’ts.